WORLAND – “In this economic environment, it could be a stressor for those people who stay unemployed, which could precipitate the need for our services,” said Mark Russler, executive director of Cloud Peak Counseling Services in Worland.

With an annual operating budget of $2 million, state budget cuts have forced Cloud Peak and other counseling centers in Wyoming to operate below normal expenditures, with Russler’s center alone taking a hit of $108,000.

With main revenue from the state’s general fund and Medicare and insurance billing, the budget cuts have forced Cloud Peak to make personnel decisions, while still operating at current levels of care.

“Luckily, we anticipated the cuts and made our budget work by not filling open staff positions,” said Russler. “But, we obviously won’t be able to offer raises to our current staff this year.”

Despite not being able to add staff, Cloud Peak continues to offer all previous services, with access to care for those in need. “Other centers have had to cut services and beds, but we can assure the public that no services will be affected,” said Russler.

With a staff of 22 counseling professionals, Cloud Peak provides Washakie County residents with youth and adult counseling, emergency psychiatric care, alcohol and drug counseling, and a variety of family services.

“The demand for our services is steady right now,” remarked Russler. “If faced with another budget cut a year from now, we might have to seriously look at what we can realistically provide the public.”

This is part of a series looking at how state budget cuts are impacting local services.